Ccr Sermons

Wise Up! Part One: Be A Wise Guy By Louie Marsh, 10-5-2025   1) Biblical wisdom is PRACTICAL  not THEORETICAL.   20Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. 21Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” (Proverbs 19:20–21, ESV)   “5Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way. 6For there is a time and a way for everything, although man’s trouble lies heavy on him.” (Ecclesiastes 8:5–6, ESV)   “10If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.” (Ecclesiastes 10:10, ESV)   The word translated “wisdom” is hakam.   The essential idea of wisdom represents a manner of thinking and attitude concerning life's experiences; including matters of general interest and basic morality. The wisdom of the OT however, is quite distinct from other ancient world views...Reflected in OT wisdom is the teaching o

THE FIVE FACETS OF THE GOSPEL Part Five, The Gospel Demands By Louie Marsh, 9-28-2025   · The Gospel Events - The Death and Resurrection of Jesus   · The Gospel Witnesses – Scripture, Apostles Eye-Witness Testimony   · The Gospel Affirmations - Jesus is Lord - Jesus is Savior   · The Gospel Promises - Forgiveness of sins – the gift of the Holy Spirit 1) The First Gospel Demand   ·  Repent!   “37Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:37–38, ESV)   “19Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,” (Acts 3:19, ESV)   “30The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,” (Acts 17:30, ESV)   o Repentance means to have a "CHANGE of mind or heart."   o Used in Greek army for our

The Five Facets of the Gospel Pt. 4, The Gospel Promises By Louie Marsh, 9-21-2025   Intro. The last two weeks of this series.     What is the Good News?  Well it's more than just what Jesus once did, and what He now is, it's also about what He now offers.  Today the promises of the Gospel is what we'll look at.   REMEMBER!   The Gospel Events · The Death and Resurrection of Jesus. · These two historical events, and what they mean, are the heart of the Gospel.   The Gospel Witnesses · Scripture · Apostles Eye-Witness Testimony   The Gospel Affirmations · Jesus is Lord · Jesus is Savior   The Gospel Promises -   1) God in Christ will FORGIVE my sins.   · Forgiveness is ESSENTIAL to New Testament salvation.   “22Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” (Hebrews 9:22, ESV)   ·  Jesus COMMANDED it preached   “45Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ

  The Five Facets of The Gospel Part Three: The Gospel Affirmations By Louie Marsh, 9-14-2025   Preached Parker, October 25, 1992   Intro.  We continue with this series, defining what the Gospel was in the preaching of the Apostles, and what it should be to us!  This may seem like old hat to some of you, but I believe that we all need to learn this, or be reminded of this - and to seriously consider whether this is how we present Christ to those around us.   Where We’ve Been:   · The Gospel Events – Death, Burial & Resurrection of Jesus,   · The Gospel Witnesses: Scripture & Apostle’s witness     3rd Facet -  The Gospel Affirmations   1) Jesus is Lord is the PRIMARY affirmation of the New Testament.   “8But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For with the heart one believes and

THE 5 FACETS OF THE GOSPEL Part Two: "The Gospel Witnesses" By Louie Marsh, 9-7-2025     1) The first Gospel witness – SCRIPTURE.   ·  Jesus APPEALED to them all the time.   “27And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27, ESV)   “44Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:44–47, ESV)   · The Apostles constantly QUOTED them.   “3For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4that he

The Five Facets of The Gospel Part One, The Gospel Events By Louie Marsh, 8-31-2025   1) Is This Sermon Really Necessary?   ·  YES!! Many Christians don't know what they believe. Inviting people to church is good - but it’s not sharing the Gospel. Besides that there are two major problem areas that make this series something YOU should pay attention to.   · The world continually DISTORTS what the Gospel is.   “3But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.” (2 Corinthians 11:3–4, ESV)   Just talking about Jesus isn't enough!  We must speak the truth about the true Jesus   “2preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience

The Jesus Way Pt. 7: Forgiveness By Louie Marsh, 8-24-2025   Last Intro slide – Stupid!   Disciples of Jesus Forgive…   · As Jesus COMMANDED   12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Matthew 6:12 (ESV)   Why Do We Forgive?   · Today we are told we forgive for OURSELVES.   Remember, you don't forgive someone for his or her sake - you forgive them for your sake.   Mayo Clinic - What are the benefits of forgiving someone?   Letting go of grudges and bitterness can make way for compassion, kindness and peace. Forgiveness can lead to: · Healthier relationships · Greater spiritual and psychological well-being · Less anxiety, stress and hostility · Lower blood pressure · Fewer symptoms of depression · Lower risk of alcohol and substance abuse   What Does the New Testament Say?   ·  Because GOD has forgiven me.   30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from yo

The Jesus Way Pt. 6: Relationships By Louie Marsh, 8-17-2025 1) Jesus has a deep & abiding LOVE for people. “10And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—so that they might accuse him. 11He said to them, “Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? 12Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” 13Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other. 14But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.” (Matthew 12:10–14, ESV)   · He pushes me to always LIVE OUT His love.   “14When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for

The Jesus Way Pt. 5: Ministry By Louie Marsh, 8-10-2025   If I’m going to follow the Jesus Way, I need to understand how He ministered to everyone.     1) Jesus deeply LOVED people and they knew it.   “7And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”” (John 8:7–11, ESV)   “13Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, 14but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” 15And he laid his hands on them

The Jesus Way Pt. 4: Prayer By Louie Marsh, 8-3-2025 Last slide hand illustration of prayer.   1) Prayer was one of Jesus’ TOP priorities.   “16But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.” (Luke 5:16, ESV)   As far as Jesus himself (αὐτός) was concerned, two more imperfects (these periphrastic) describe what he kept doing (iterative). At every opportunity he would slip quietly and secretly (ὑπό in the participle) away from these crowds and would be praying. We catch a glimpse of the soul life of Jesus, his frequent communing with God in lonely places while men were clamoring for him.   Jesus is described as praying about 25 times in the Gospels, with the exact count varying by Gospel: Matthew (9), Mark (8), Luke (15), and John (4).   · Jesus is described as praying about 25 times in the Gospels, with the exact count varying by Gospel: Matthew (9), Mark (8), Luke (15), and John (4). · Specific occasions of Jesus praying include His baptism, before choosing disciples, at Lazarus’s raising, at the Transfi

The Jesus Way Pt. 3: Staying On Mission By Louie Marsh, 7-27-2025   Last week we looked at choices, this week we look at what happens after you make the choice.     1) Jesus SET HIS FACE to go to Jerusalem.   “51When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. 53But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” 55But he turned and rebuked them. 56And they went on to another village.” (Luke 9:51–56, ESV)   “15then hear the word of the Lord, O remnant of Judah. Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: If you set your faces to enter Egypt and go to live there,” (Jeremiah 42:15, ESV)   “7But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint

The Jesus Way Pt. 2: Choices By Louie Marsh, 7-20-2025 1) Jesus gave up His right to act APART from his father.   “4Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2:4–7, ESV) “19So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.” (John 5:19, ESV)   2) Jesus chose to DENY his human nature “41And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44And being in agony he pra

The Jesus Way Pt. 1: Life By Louie Marsh, 7-13-2025     To Live Like Jesus Means My Life…    1) Has MEANING & PURPOSE. “46I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” (John 12:46, ESV)   “39Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.” 40Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things, and said to him, “Are we also blind?” 41Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains.” (John 9:39–41, ESV)   “10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10, ESV)   2) Is not about ME. “38For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.” (John 6:38, ESV)   “43I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him.” (John 5:43, ESV)   “42Jesus said to the

The Gospel Manifesto in the Book of Romans Pt. 10 How God Cares for Me By Louie Marsh, 7-6-2025 One night I had a wondrous dream,One set of footprints there was seen,The footprints of my precious Lord,But mine were not along the shore. But then some stranger prints appeared,And I asked the Lord, "What have we here?"Those prints are large and round and neat,"But Lord they are too big for feet." "My child," He said in somber tones,"For miles I carried you alone.I challenged you to walk in faith,But you refused and made me wait." "You disobeyed, you would not grow,The walk of faith, you would not know.So I got tired, I got fed up,and there I dropped you on your butt." "Because in life, there comes a time,when one must fight, and one must climb.When one must rise and take a stand,or leave their butt prints in the sand." GOD CARES FOR ME   1) By constantly CHALLENGING me.   14  I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one

The Gospel Manifesto in the Book of Romans Pt. 8: Engaging My Culture By Louie Marsh, 6-15-2025   Intro: 50 Years & Counting then 5 pictures about changing culture.   1) I engage my culture by overcoming evil by DOING GOOD.   14  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15  Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16  Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17  Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18  If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19  Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20  To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:14-21 (ES

50th Anniversary Part 2: What I’ve Learned Along the Way By Louie Marsh, 6-22-2025   Intro – Last slide me preaching at ordination.   1) People will surprise you…   · In GOOD WAYS.   “5and said to Moses, “The people bring much more than enough for doing the work that the Lord has commanded us to do.” 6So Moses gave command, and word was proclaimed throughout the camp, “Let no man or woman do anything more for the contribution for the sanctuary.” So the people were restrained from bringing, 7for the material they had was sufficient to do all the work, and more.” (Exodus 36:5–7, ESV)   On January 13, 1982, the Boeing 737-200 that executed the flight, registered as N62AF, crashed into the 14th Street Bridge over the Potomac River just after takeoff from Washington National Airport.   Striking the bridge, which carries Interstate 395 between Washington, D.C., and Arlington County, Virginia, it hit seven occupied vehicles and destroyed 97 feet (30 m) of guard rail  before plunging through the ice into the Potomac

The Gospel Manifesto in the Book of Romans Pt. 8: Engaging My Culture By Louie Marsh, 6-15-2025 1) I engage my culture by overcoming evil by DOING GOOD.   14  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15  Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16  Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17  Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18  If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19  Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20  To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:14-21 (ESV)   · I respond to cultural rejection by HELPING THOSE  who hurt me.   14

The Gospel Manifesto in the Book of Romans Pt. 7: More of Jesus By Louie Marsh, 6-8-2025   Intro – 5 church sign pics – Holy Spirit entrance last one.   1) My response to the Gospel –MAKE a spiritual sacrifice.   1  I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1 (ESV)   · Why should I do this?   Therefore – everything from this point forward in Romans is derived from what has come before.   Appeal = from (para) and (kaleo); to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation) :- beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhort (-ation), entreat, pray.  Basically means you are aiming at both the heart and the will.   Mercies of God = our motivation.   · How do I do this?   Present = a technical term for offering a sacrifice, though not in the O.T. Used of…   · Presenting the child Jesus in the temple: “22And when the time came for their purifi

The Gospel Manifesto in the Book of Romans Pt. 6: God’s Plan By Louie Marsh, 6-1-2025   Opening Graphics on Planning – ends with the 3 circles   1) I’m NOT in charge – God is!   19  You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” 20  But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” 21  Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? 22  What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23  in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— 24  even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? 25  As indeed he says in Hosea, “Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’ and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’” 26  “And in

The Gospel Manifesto in the Book of Romans Pt. 5: Winning the War Against Sin, Romans 7: 7-8:39 By Louie Marsh, 5-25-2025   3 Funny Church Signs   The Transformational Arc – To the bottom and then up, to the end of myself, forsaking myself, realizing I’m in Christ, trusting in Jesus to take me up!   1) The Law SHOWS me what sin is.   7  What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” 8  But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. 9  I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. 10  The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. 11  For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. 12  So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righ